Lexi Webster
Western Australia's energy systems are characterised by their large-scale export of natural gas, their independence from the interconnected cross-state gas and electricity networks in eastern Australia, and the presence of two separate large-scale grids and many microgrids to power the sparsely populated state. In 2019-20, natural gas provided more than half of the electricity used in Western Australia, with coal-fired generators also playing an important role in providing a reliable source of electricity. However, as the energy system transitions, the uptake of rooftop solar and demand for electricity generation from renewables is increasing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity Sources | Coal, natural gas, solar, wind, hydroelectricity |
| Main Electricity Grid | South West Interconnected System (SWIS) |
| SWIS Coverage | 96,000 km of power lines from Albany to Kalbarri and Kalgoorlie, including Perth metropolitan area |
| Other Grids | North West Interconnected System (NWIS), Regional Power (RP) |
| SWIS Generator | Synergy |
| Synergy's Share of Total Electricity Generation | About half |
| Power Stations | Collie, Kwinana, Cockburn, Pinjar, and smaller power stations and renewable generation sites across SWIS |
| Natural Gas Electricity Share (2019-20) | Over half |
| Rooftop Solar PV Systems in WA | Over 36% of households |
| WA's Share of Australia's Petroleum and LPG | Nearly 80% |
| WA's Share of Australia's Natural Gas | Over 60% |
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Natural gas and coal
Western Australia's energy system is supported by large gas and coal-fired generators. These fossil fuel power stations burn coal to power steam turbines that generate some or all of the electricity they produce. Natural gas is sourced from gas fields (oil and gas wells or coal seam wells) and processed to specification. It is then used for gas-powered generation (GPG) or stored in large facilities for later use. In 2019-20, electricity generated by natural gas provided more than half of the electricity used in Western Australia.
Natural gas is increasingly being used for electricity in Western Australia and South Australia. In 2021, natural gas was a major component of Australia's energy sector, accounting for 29% of energy production, 28% of the total energy supply, 19% of electricity generation, and 17% of total final consumption. Natural gas emits around half the emissions of coal when used to generate electricity.
In Western Australia, coal is of much lower quality than in other states. In 2021, coal and gas accounted for around 70% of electricity generation in Australia. In 2020, coal-fired plants produced 52.9% of Australia's electricity generation mix. However, as the energy system transitions and the uptake of rooftop solar and demand for electricity generation from renewables increases, coal-fired generation will be phased out. By phasing out coal-fired power generation, it is estimated that carbon emissions will be reduced by 80% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.
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Solar power
Western Australia has an abundance of solar energy resources, with high potential for solar energy production. The state's dry climate and latitude provide excellent conditions for harnessing solar power. Western Australia's first large-scale solar farm, the Greenough River Solar Farm, is located near Geraldton. The Merredin Solar Farm, WA's largest solar farm under construction, is expected to generate about 281GWh of electricity annually, supplying power to approximately 42,000 households.
The state also has the largest rooftop solar PV array in Western Australia, completed in 2021, with a total generating capacity of 2.8 MW. Over 36% of WA households now have rooftop solar PV systems, and the combined output from these systems can generate twice as much electricity as the state's largest power station during certain times of the day.
Western Australia's energy system is supported by large gas and coal-fired generators, but the state is transitioning to renewable energy sources. As part of this transition, Synergy's coal-fired generation will be phased out over the next five to seven years, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 80% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.
The process of connecting a solar power system to the grid in Western Australia involves submitting an application form to Horizon Power and receiving approval. After installation, a completion notice must be submitted, and Horizon Power will then perform a meter changeover or reprogramming. The system can then be connected to the network, and a Notice of Completion must be submitted to Western Power.
The state offers various incentives to encourage the uptake of solar power, such as the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS) and similar initiatives in other states. Western Australia has excellent potential for solar energy production and is actively transitioning to renewable energy sources, with solar power playing a significant role in the state's energy mix.
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Wind power
Western Australia has excellent wind resources, with widespread coastal areas, gentle hills, and flat plains, along with the potential for offshore wind. Wind power has been an important part of the energy generation mix in Western Australia since 1987. Wind energy is a low-emissions renewable electricity source that involves capturing energy from the wind and converting it to electricity. As the wind rotates the turbine blades, they move a generator that produces electricity. One wind turbine can produce enough electricity to power up to 2,000 average households per year.
In Western Australia, wind energy already accounts for around 16% of the electricity generated on an average day in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), the state's main grid. The Southwest, Pilbara, and Goldfield regions host world-class wind resources, and unlocking these resources will be an important part of Western Australia's transition to renewable energy.
As the demand for energy continues to grow in Western Australia, wind power will play an increasingly important role in the state's energy generation mix. The state's ideal wind conditions and the technology's cost-effectiveness make it a promising source of renewable energy.
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Hydroelectricity
In Western Australia, hydroelectric power stations use the flow of water to generate some or all of their electricity. While there is no data on the number of hydroelectric power stations in Western Australia, Australia as a whole has over 100 operating hydroelectric power stations, with a total installed capacity of about 7800 megawatts (MW). The majority of these power stations are located in areas with high rainfall and elevation, mainly in New South Wales (55%) and Tasmania (29%).
The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme is Australia's largest hydro scheme and one of the most complex integrated water and hydroelectricity schemes in the world. The scheme collects and stores water that would naturally flow east to the coast and diverts it through trans-mountain tunnels and power stations. The water is then released into the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers for irrigation. The Snowy Mountains Scheme comprises sixteen major dams, seven power stations (two underground), a pumping station, 145km of interconnected trans-mountain tunnels, and 80km of aqueducts.
While Western Australia has some hydroelectric power stations, the state's energy system is primarily supported by large gas and coal-fired generators. Natural gas provides more than half of the electricity used in Western Australia, and the state also has some of the lowest-quality black coal in Australia. However, as the energy system transitions and the demand for renewable energy increases, coal-fired generation will be phased out over the next five to seven years, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 80% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.
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Gas-fired power stations
Western Australia's energy generation mix includes a range of energy sources, with natural gas being a significant contributor. In 2019-20, electricity generated by natural gas provided over half of the electricity used in Western Australia (WA). This is in contrast to other states such as New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, where coal is the primary energy source for electricity generation. WA's energy system relies on large gas and coal-fired generators to meet the electricity needs of its households and businesses.
The Mungarra Gas Turbine Station is an example of a gas-fired power station in WA. It has two gas turbines with a combined capacity of 75 megawatts. Mungarra plays a vital role in providing voltage support for the northern end of the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). Another important gas-fired power station is the Kalgoorlie Gas Turbine Station, which provides emergency backup electricity for the Kalgoorlie region. It consists of two open-cycle gas turbines with a total electricity generation output capacity of 57 megawatts, operated primarily on distillate fuel.
The transition to renewable energy sources is also underway in WA. As of 2022, over 36% of WA households have installed rooftop solar PV systems, and the state is investing $3.8 billion in new renewable energy infrastructure. As a result, coal-fired power stations are being phased out, with Synergy's carbon emissions expected to reduce by 80% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia's main sources of electricity are natural gas and coal, with smaller amounts coming from diesel and renewable sources (wind, solar and landfill gas).
There are two separate electricity grids in Western Australia: the North-West Interconnected System (NWIS) and the South-West Interconnected System (SWIS), which is the main grid. Outside the SWIS, grid services are supplied by Horizon Power, another state-owned corporation.
Synergy, owned by the Western Australian Government, is the largest generator in Western Australia. It produced around 50% of large-scale electricity generation in the South West electricity market in 2016.
Horizon Power, owned by the Western Australian Government, operates generation facilities that supply towns located outside the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). It also operates the North West Interconnected System (NWIS) in the Pilbara region, the smaller Esperance network, and over 30 discrete networks in regional towns and remote communities.
Western Australia is transitioning to renewable energy sources, with over 36% of households now having rooftop solar PV systems. As a result, Synergy's coal-fired generation will be phased out over the next five to seven years, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 80% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.
